If you are a special needs mom, or any one else with a special needs child in the family, or even someone who wants to understand a little more of the emotions a caregiver deals with, this book is for you.

This was a great book. Encouraging, compassionate and well-written. Written from perspectives of whether a child has medical or behavioral issues this book will offer encouragement and a walk in faith. This was written from a non-denominational standpoint and for a Catholic, this book was great as well. For anyone who walks a journey that is not the typical parenting journey, this book will be a salve and a continued walk in prayer. Happy to have been able to pre-read this book.

After 23 years in the autism trenches, I have to say that other moms have been my saving grace (second only to God). I don’t often pick up a book about autism these days but when I heard my favorite podcasters were releasing one I knew it was meant for me.

I so appreciate their gut-honest stories that give words to things we are often afraid to talk about. The different stages of grief are so real and we moms experience them all so many times, especially as we see other children pass developmental milestones and enter into adult seasons of life.

I highly recommend this book and encourage you to share it with your schools and churches and community groups so that other moms and family members and caregivers can experience the inspiration and hope inside. With Bible verses and questions to think about and discuss, this book would make a great study with your friends!

Some of my favorite quotes that hit home:

“Sometimes comparison masks a more profound hurt.”
“Typically anger comes from the gap between what we expect to happen and what actually happens.”
“Despair produces darkness, but God is our Light of hope, leading to joy.”
“When Jesus sent out the twelve disciples, he didn’t sugarcoat their mission.”
“Fear can take root when we take our eyes off Jesus.”

It’s not an easy calling to be a special needs mom, but God knows, and we believe. He will be with us every step of the way…right beside the moms he puts in our path.

The Other Side of Special is a beautiful book that embraces the side of raising a special needs child that often gets unnoticed…the mom’s/family’s side. Really this books isn’t simply JUST for the mom of a special needs child but it is beneficial for anyone who loves someone who is raising a special needs child.
The chapters in this book include emotions such as loneliness, doubt, comparison, guilt, anger, fear and weariness. Feeling overwhelmed and disappointed are also addressed. Each chapter starts with a summary of the topic. From there each author tells their story of dealing and coping with that emotion.

The three authors have children with various special needs ranging from obvious physical disabilities to emotional and behavioral disabilities. I love how honest they are with their feelings. I think sometimes as Christians we are taught not to express emotions such as disappointment and anger because that makes us look “faithless”. Nothing could be further from the truth. To lament is Godly. David did it in the Psalms. To lament to to cry out to God with your messy emotions and even ask why BUT then to REMEMBER God’s goodness and faithfulness. I feel like the authors did this beautifully. They were honest with their struggles, emotions, fears YET still remind the reader of how God sustains us.

I am the proud aunt to a very special boy with profound emotional, behavioral and mental needs. I have navigated this road with my sister. I have seen all these emotions first hand. The comparison (he is a twin), the loneliness, the fear, the utter weariness have been hallmarks of my sister’s journey as an advocate for my nephew. Schools are not equipped to handle invisible disabilities so my nephew has slipped through the educational cracks. She is now homeschooling him while working a very stressful full time job. She may be my little sister but she is my HERO.

She will be receiving this book for Mother’s Day because she deserves to be seen and that is what this book does.

I received this book from NetGalley and the authors in exchange for my honest review. This review is my own opinion.

#othersideofspecial #theothersideofspecial #netgalley

A companion in the form of a book
The other side of special is a well-written book from the perspective of three special-needs moms as they align their lives with God. I have added this book to my shelf of “middle of the night reads” when I am lonely and troubled by fear or worry of my child’s health needs. The three ladies are right there, waiting to nurture and remind readers they are not alone in this journey. Reflection questions at the end of each chapter allow the reader to chew on and ruminate on the topics.
This book would also be a good read for friends and families of those who have children with special needs. It allows you inside the circle of the lives so many are afraid to enter into.

Reading this book has been so timely in my journey as a special needs mom. To say I needed this book at such a time in my life is an understatement. I have felt so many of the feelings these lovely mothers have explained in such beautiful ways. They are relatable moms, all sharing a common ground no matter what disability their children have. Thank you, ladies, for encouraging my heart as a special needs mother. Thank you to Baker Publishing, Revell and NetGalley for a free e-book copy to honestly read and review. I can’t wait to get my physical copy I preordered to get all my highlights down! I will be talking about this on my YouTube channel as well at the end of the month. If you are a special needs mother, relative to someone with special needs, or just wanting to get an insight to this journey of special needs motherhood, please read this. It has changed my perspective and encouraged my faith tremendously.

My son is 4 and was diagnosed with Autism when he was 2 and a half. Our journey is truly just beginning, but I could relate to so much these mothers have expressed in their own journeys. They remind us that it’s ok to give ourselves permission to grieve certain things in your child’s diagnosis, but to let God handle us where we are in that grief as He is the God of comfort. This book reminds us that comparison truly is a trap and “when we focus on what we do not have, we miss what God freely offers.” How to move from comparison to contentment and focus on Jesus. “We won’t wonder if another family has it worse of better than we do because we accept that Christ is all we need no matter what.” AMEN. I needed the chapters specifically on comparison, grief, fear, shame, brokenness, guilt, soul rest…etc.

My favorite passage: “We have everything we need to be the parent our child needs. We have access to God’s divine power. We have the wisdom to hear God’s voice and turn away from the harsh accusations of the devil. We can live a life of godliness through God’s strength. He abundantly gives us his wisdom without contempt or disdain because we’ve asked. He does not sit in heaven saying, “Oh dear, she’s asking again. I don’t want to give this to her.” With open arms, he’s begging us to ask.” – THIS right here – this is what it’s about. We are fully equipped to handle this with the power of the Lord. Even when things seem impossible, He makes a way. He is there for us going through hard times. I am beyond grateful for His never-ending love for us and our children. He has big plans for our children.

The Other Side of Special
Navigating the Messy, Emotional, Joy-Filled Life of a Special Needs Mom
by Amy J Brown; Sara Clime; Carrie M Holt
Pub Date 09 May 2023
Revell
Christian | Parenting & Families


I am reviewing a copy of The Other Side of Special through Revell and Netgalley:


If you are a special needs Mom, in search of community and support on what can be a lonely road. The Other Side of Special reminds you that you are not alone, your best is good enough, and even on the hard days, there are blessings to be had.


Raising a Special needs child means you will need to spend energy and resources into raising them. And often you can be left to feel isolated, and guilty, and you can feel like your other children (if you have other children) are competing for attention. In this book you will find the encouragement and practical help to navigate the emotional reality of your situation.


The Other Side of Normal, shares the stories of three mothers raising children with physical, medical, mental, and emotional special needs. These three Mothers have joined forces and pooled their experience and expertise to provide such a resource. They take a deep dive into the most common emotions felt by special needs moms. They acknowledge the hard things as those who have been there. They celebrate the unique joys of being a special needs mom. And they offer encouragement for the journey, remaining realistic about the challenges special needs moms will continue to face.


I give The Other Side of Normal five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!